Chapter 3

Between a rock, a snake pit, and a bloody gate.

I don't own anything just playing in better writers sandboxes. Thanks to Jean D'arc for giving me a better idea for this chapter than I had originally as I wasn't going to bring the blackfish in for a few more chapters. Chapters will be coming out slowly from now on as they are completely my own work without a guide to help though there are one or two more chapters further ahead that have a guide.

Tywin Lannister

Seated at the head of the table looking around at his gathered family, Tywin contemplated the news he is getting out of King's Landing. Some of it was very good news, such as Jon Arryn paying back some of the debt that was owed to him. Some of it was not so good, that the flesh peddler had the audacity to steal from him and think that he could get away with it, and so he had until a bungled assassination attempt hit the wrong person.

Tywin had almost laughed when he read the message from his spy Pycelle saying that he had overheard Lysa Arryn confessing that she had meant to poison Jon Arryn but had poisoned her lover Baelish instead. Though Tywin was glad that the honourable man had not died at the hands of his stupid wife, he was not glad that it brought about such radical change. Getting the Iron Throne more into bed with the Iron Bank was not a move that Twyin would have made.

Tywin couldn't fault the results however as now a large portion of the debt owed to him was being paid off. As Tywin glanced around he couldn't help but see his hated son, the stunted beast of a man, a man that people said was as smart as Tywin. Tywin knew the truth, that just like his golden twins Tyrion was not as smart as he thought he was. On his right his brother Kevan was slowly eating his dinner, Kevan the ever faithful shadow of his older brother. If others knew the things about Kevan that Tywin knew they would no longer think that. Kevan liked his whores almost as much as Tywin's hated son, Kevan was just more discrete. Kevan has fathered more bastards than their brother Tyget.

"As you all know the crown is now paying back a rather large portion of the debt they owe us. They have also named a new master of coin. A man from the Iron Bank. I would hear everyone's thoughts on this matter." as Tywin finishes his statement he sees Tyrion open his mouth. "Not you." Tywin says with a pointed glare. "Your opinion will go last." Tyrion slouches down in his chair on hearing this from his father.

"It's about time they stopped sending us a pittance of what they should be." Genna says from his left. Tywin had never forgiven his father for marrying off his smart and capable sister to a nothing weasel of a Fray. Tywin nods his head at what she had to say.

"Its nothing they sho." the weasel of a man starts to say before Tywin interrupts.

"Shut up Fray you have no say here. So keep your trap shut." glaring at the instupid man. Genna gave him that look she got on her face every time someone insulted her husband half grateful half annoyed.

"Tywin." Genna says only slightly reproachfully.

"The Iron Bank's man, I've met him before. He's brutally honest. The only thing he cares about is gold and making sure his deals make the Bank more money. It's probably the reason they sent him in the first place." Kevan says from his spot next to Tywin. Kevan didn't care what happened so long as the throne paid the money back. In Kevan's mind he was the next Lord of the Rock, his children after him as there was no way Jaimie was leaving the kingsguard, and Kevan would not let the dwarf inherit before him. As it looked like no one else was going to speak, Tywin finally gestured at Tyrion that he could speak.

"The Iron Bank being in control of the finances of the Red Keep is going to infuriate Cersei to no end. She may plot to have him killed as he won't allow her to spend on her frivolities like she would want too. It also gives us an opportunity to tighten what is given to Cersei as her allowance. It would limit the amount of damage she would be able to cause to the Banks man. The coin coming back could be reinvested into our fleet, mayhaps adding more merchant cogs as well as war ships." Tyrion states not expecting his opinion to be valued. Tywin however thought over what his stunned son had to say. Cersei would be a problem that was a surety. Also his investment idea was a good one though Tywin would never admit that out loud.

"Tyrion has a point about Cersei." Genna says with a thoughtful look on her face. Genna too was contemplating what her spiteful brat of a niece would do with her spending money being limited in such a way. "Perhaps a visit to kings landing from her beloved father would help set her right on what we would expect of her and how she's to act towards this representative." Tywin nods at this knowing it was a good idea. Tywin had reason to go to King's landing beside yet another failed attempt at getting Jaimie out of that stupid white cloak. There was also the upcoming celebration for the winning of Robert's rebellion. As he sat contemplating on his next course of action the Grey Rat, maester whatever his name is came walking up to him. Tywin had no respect for the man, after the man's failure to save his most beloved wife, Tywin would never listen to his advice again. Tywin has even taken the pains to forget the man's name to make him feel ever lower than he already was. Only ever referring to him as Grey Rat.

"What is it, Grey Rat?" Tywin said contemptuously.

"A missive Lord Lannister from the Lord Hand." the man says while handing over the message scroll. As he read it he had to do a double take. Jon Arryn was asking for help. Tywin could see through the order for him to come to the capital for what it was, a cry for help. Jon Arryn couldn't run the capital without his help. The balding falcon needed him, the old golden lion, to help in controlling his goodson and daughter. Tywin couldn't help the smile that came to his face. One of the first genuine smiles to cross his face since his beautiful wife died. Tywin passed the missive onto his brother. While his brother read the letter, Tywin pondered on how best to use the situation to his benefit. As Tywin had been the Hand to the King for the mad king, he knew the ins and outs of the job. Tywin made up his mind he was going, the only question was whether or not he was taking anyone with him.

"I'm coming." Kevan states as he hands the scroll back to Tywin, he passes the scroll over to Genna. That would leave Genna as the Lannister of the Rock. Tywin would leave the disappointment here, there was no way that he was taking Tyrion to King's Landing where he would just disgrace the Lannister name even more than he already did here and at Lannisport.

"Very well. Genna you will have to stay. You will be the acting lady of the Rock while Kevan and I go to King's Landing. Before you ask, Tyrion, you are staying here, you have cisterns and drains to manage."

It only took Tywin and Kevan a sennight to organise the trip they would go over land as a trip past Dorne was a bad idea while flying the Lannister flag, it would make them to tempting of a target for every vassal house looking to ingratiate themself to there liege's or even the Martell fleet as small as it was to attack them. Ser Addam Marbrand would lead the troops, more guards for the trip, Ser Addam had been looking for a reason to go visit his friend and former foster brother Jaimie, this gave Addam the best reason. Protecting his liege lord and his liege's brother. It would take them just over three moons to arrive at the capital. Which would give them just over two moons before the celebration was due to begin. Setting out at a good pace. The two brothers did not speak while they were in the saddle, not wanting any of their men to overhear the plans each had. Tywin had a thought about what Kevan would be doing, no doubt fathering more bastards. This time Tywin hoped that it wouldn't be on yet another septa. The last time it had been a septa, it had cost him a thousand dragons just to keep the womens mouth shut. After her exile from the faith she had needed the money to provide for the child and herself, so she had come to the Rock trying to get Kevan to take her and the child in.

Tywin had put an end to that notion, he would not have another bastard in his halls, one was enough. If Joy Hill wasn't the only child of his favourite brother Gerion, Tywin would never have allowed her into the Rock. The exsepta had been sent off with the gold and told not to come back. While Tywin was contemplating how to keep some control of his wayward brother, they came upon the chosen resting spot for that night. Once camp was set, he consulted the maps noting that they were half way to Clegane Keep. They headed up the gold road as it is the shortest route to the capital, mayhaps not the easiest as it traversed the mountains however, it meant not having to put up with the grasping fishes, both the father and the fool of a son. Gerion would never forgive him if Tywin willingly chose to go through the Riverland and passed Riverrun where he would be obliged to stay at least one night. Tywin never understood why Gerion hated the Tully's before his death searching for Brightroar. As Kevan came into his tent Twyin focused back onto his thoughts from earlier.

"Kevan, I give you much leeway in what you do and who you fuck. But I'm telling you this now if you get another septa pregnant in King's Landing, I'll tell your wife you're treating septa's like whores. Dorna tolerates a lot from you but I doubt that she will forgive that.'' The look on Kevan's face made the threat worth it in Tywin's mind. As Kevan stares at Tywin in shock, Tywin pours the two of them drinks.

"Tywin, I don't know what you're talking about. I may have fucked septa's as a way to get back at Dorna for not laying with me, but I have never gotten one pregnant."

"One of the benefits of being the Lord of the Rock is I know when people approach the castle. I have sent away an excommunicated septa with some dragons, who was claiming to be pregnant with your child. Knowing your wife as I do, I knew Dorna was likely to either go into a deep depression, or stab you in your sleep. I could not allow such weakness to be seen from a member of my house. So I dealt with it. Just like I've dealt with the whores claiming to have Tyrion's bastards in them.'' Many whores have claimed to carry the dwarfs' bastard in them, many whore also disappeared after going to Castely Rock. Tywin could never allow his disgraceful son to shame them more with a score of bastards that would likely be dwarfs as well. The gratitude on Kevan's face is expected. Kevans wife Dorna was one of the most faithful person Tywin had ever met. If their parents had not arranged the marriage before Dorna came of age, she would have joined the faith as a septa.

"I swear Tywin, I'll take moon tea with me when I go to the sept. It must have been the septa that refused to take the moon tea. She was spouting some nonsense about the Mother so I left."

"I don't care, Kevan. You are my younger brother, I will always clean up the mess you make. Just not between a septa and Dorna." Kevan sighs in relief. They talk for a few more hours before they retire to their bed rolls.

The Blackfish

Brynden Tully was shocked when the carriage holding his niece Lysa rolled into the bloody gate. As the knight of the bloody gate it was his job to greet the Lord Paramount of the Vales wife, not that it was much of a chore as he loves his brother's children as if they were his own. What was not expected about this visit was the state Lysa was in. Lysa was raving, her hair was all over the place. Brynden had never seen his niece in such a state. He directed the guard with her to take her to one of the guest rooms. Though not a castle, the fort of the Bloody Gate still has accommodations for visiting people. Brynden pulls the commander of the guards to one side as the man passes him.

"what has happened to her?" Brynden enquired of the man he only vaguely recognised.

"Lady Lysa has a bad case of historics. The Lord Hand and Grand Maester thought that the fresh air of the Vale would help her fragile state of mind." the man says with a shifty look to him. Brynden knew from that look that, that wasn't the full story. The very fact that her own husband had sent her away was telling, that young Robert had not also come was even more telling. Lysa had done something. Something bad enough that she had been sent away, though this did not explain the raving he had seen in her.

"what brought on this bout of historics?" Brynden asks, sounding the concerned uncle that he was.

"the death of Lord Baelish. The Lord of the smallest finger passed of a fever less than a sennight before we left. She went straight into historia upon hearing of his death. I know nothing more than this Ser. Only that the Grand Maester ordered that she is to be dosed with the milk of the poppy until she has arrived in the Eyrie so she can't hurt herself on the way up." at this Brynden doesn't know what to think. Lysa must have done something very bad for her to be dosed this much. Brynden dismisses the man and goes to Lysa rooms, he also dismisses the guards outside her room, he needs to talk to her alone with no one over hearing them. Lysa was still raving quietly to herself, this time however Brynden was actually listening to what she was saying. No wonder with what she was saying that there were guards at her door to ensure that no one over heard what she was saying.

"Stupid old fool, why cant he die. He should have died, not my Petyr. My love, my Petyr, why did you drink the poison meant for that hated man." Brynden was shocked at what he was hearing. Lysa, his sweet niece, had tried to poison her husband or knew that Baelish was going to. What shocked him the most was that it appeared that the two of them had continued the physical affair that they had started as youths in the Riverlands. "My Petyr, why didn't you listen to me and let me poison that bald old man while it was just me and him." that confirmed what Brynden had though his niece must have been caught or perhaps confessed just like she was doing now. "Oh sweet Robin, what will we do now that your father is dead? Who will help us now?" this new confession floored Brynden. He knew now he must ride hard for kings landing and see the boy for himself. Having only had brief glances at young Robert in the past, not enough to see if he was a bastard or a trueborn. Leaving Lysa to her own raving, he went to talk to Nestor Royce, the castellan of the Bloody Gate. Brynden knew that he would have to wait until Lysa was under way, off to the Eyrie before he would be allowed the time to ride for the Red Keep. Brynden barged into Nestor's office without knocking as was his way. Nestor and Brynden had become great friends in their years at the Bloody Gate.

"Nestor, once my niece is off on her way, I must make haste to King's landing. My niece might be mad but if her ravings aren't a product of her own fantasy, I must report them to Lord Arryn." Brynden says as he enters the castellan's office. He receives a startled look as a response. Nestor happened to be reading a letter from Jon Arryn as he entered.

"Brynden you must keep whatever you heard to yourself. If it is anything like what this letter indicates, it's best never said." Nestor says handing over the letter. Nestor trusted Brynden enough with the truth to disregard Lord Arryn's words not to show Brynden the letter, knowing that Brynden would never want his family's shame known. The only thing Brynden had listened to that is not in the letter, was the parentage of young Robert.

"Nestor, what she just said, hasn't been mentioned in here." Brynden says waving the letter around. "I don't wish to say it out loud to any but Lord Arryn. Surely with what's written here already you must understand." Nestor reaches over for his decanter pouring them both glasses. Pushing one toward Brynden while drinking out of the other. Brynden takes a long drink out of his glass. With a sigh Nestor answers him.

"Very well Brynden, if you think this is what's best I trust you. I'll have the Redfort boy and the Bolton boy take over from you. Both boys should be able to do the job that you do. Mayhaps not as good a job but still they should be competent at the least." They both shared a laugh at that. Those boys if they weren't working were trying to pull pranks on everyone, usually to have them backfire on themselves. It had been a surprise when both boys had shown up at the Bloody Gate with no guard. No notice had arrived before them, however in no time both boys had made their presence noticed. When Lord Redfort sent messages around the Vale asking if anyone had seen both boys, Brynden had laughed himself right out of his seat. It became apparent very quickly that they were not meant to be there and that they had meant to be doing the rounds of the Redfort lands checking on the small folk and the like. After a quick message had been sent off to Lord Redfort both boys had been punished and stayed under punishment until lord Redfort could arrive to take them back to the Redfort. However when the lord in question arrived he was surprised by what he could see, both boys actually working hard at the punishment they had been given, on this particular day they were mucking out the stables.

Upon hearing from Nestor and Brynden, the old lord decided to allow the boys a one year fostering at the Bloody Gate pending permission from Lord Bolton. Lord Bolton while his letter was terse he did give his reluctant permission to foster at the Bloody Gate on the proviso that once the year was up, Domeric would only have one more year at his fosterage with the Redforts, whether he gained a knighthood or not.

It was two days before Lysa was ready to travel again, and by that it meant Lysa was drugged back into insensibility so she could not reveal any more truths to those in the Bloody Gate. While she had been there Brynden had ordered that only her guard and himself were to see her. This had made the two boys curious but with what punishment Brynden had told them they would be receiving if they disobeyed they never went near her. The punishment would have been laundry duty, mending any torn garments, repacking straw dummies and washing the top of the battlements, for a month. Neither boy thought that punishment was worth whatever mystery was surrounding Lysa Arryn. It took Brynden another night to gather all the supplies that he needed for his travels.

With his horse Stranger and a pack horse saddled and ready to leave he looks at both the boys who would be his temporary replacements he suppresses a snort saying.

"You boys listen to Nestor. Or you better go live with the mountain me as nothing will save you from a tanned backside when I get back. Jon Redfort get that look off your face. Your father won't save you from a well deserved beating if you don't listen to Nestor.'' As Jon Redfort had been smiling before the Blackfish's last word, immediately stops and becomes very serious, knowing that the blackfish was right, Horton Redfort would not be pleased with his third son if he messes things up at the Bloody Gate.

"Lord Blackfish, have no worries, I'll keep Jon in line." Domeric Bolton states with a smile at his friend's misfortune. Brynden did not miss the mischievous grin that Domeric had, had on his face when he said lord Blackfish.

"that's what I'm worried about Domeric. If Jon isn't leading you into trouble, you're leading him into it. Now off with you and listen to Nestor or I'll send you to your father for a bit of flaying." Brynden says with a malevolent grin on his face. Domeric's already pale face pales further. The boy knew his father would be displeased if he was sent home in disgrace. After mounting his horse Brynden sets off at a hard pace. He rides his horses as hard as he can without risking injury to himself or his horses, knowing it would do no good to have them go lame on him.

It took him two days pushing himself as hard as he dares to get out of the Vale. He rests for the night in the crossroads inn. Over hearing some very interesting conversation about the goings on in the Capital and Riverlands, for the most part he lets it all wash over him without actively listening unless he could hear something about Lysa, Hoster or Jon Arryn. He did hear that Jon Arryn had summoned the old lion of the rock to the capital. Brynden was glad that he would both beat the old lion there and be gone from the city before the old lion arrived. It would take a troop that Tywin would likely drag with him longer to get to the capital than a man on his own. Brynden never liked the then called ruthless lion now called the old lion. Before the Reyne's had rebelled Brynden had, had friends in that house as one of the boys had fostered with his elder brother Hoster, so Brynden had gotten to know a few of the members when they would visit or on the rear occasion that Hoster allowed him to go with them to Castamere. After that massacre Brynden would never trust the ruthless lion, a man who would do anything to get what he wants is not someone that can be trusted. Which was shown at the end of the rebellion.

It would take another senight to reach the capital if he didn't push his horses to death. Which he wouldn't as he actually likes his horse Stranger. The gelding was a companion he has had for the last twelve years. Upon reaching the capital Brynden makes his way to the red keep listening out for rumours again. Hearing how much happier the small folk are with just the small changes that the Hand and Master of Coin had made to the city. Brynden didn't know what the changes are but they made the people happy. Happy small folk mean no riots, no riots mean more commerce which would make the people happier.

Once he reaches the Red Keep Brynden passes off his horses to the waiting grooms before walking to the Tower of the Hand. as he stands at the entrance of the Tower one of the Arryn guards calls for his attention.

"The Blackfish leaving the bloody gate. Is there a war on Ser Brynden.'' It was one of the things he likes about the Vale and the North. Both kingdoms would rather insult and compliment you in the same sentence then use hidden barbs and double meaning to insult others. Both of those kingdoms breed hard men, men that would rather hit someone then pretend that they like someone they don't. Honesty that's what both kingdoms are known for. Harsh brutal honesty. Something the seven kingdoms need more of in his opinion.

"No war. At least not yet. With those wildling mountain men you never know if it is going to stay that way. No, I need to talk to the Lord Hand about his wife." With that the guards face closed off and Brynden knew he must have been one of the guards that had been assigned to his niece before she had been shipped back to the vale.

"I will inform the Hand but it may be some wait as he is in a meeting with the new master of coin."

"If that's the case I will visit with my grand nephew Robert while I wait." the guards face became guarded even more at the request.

"I guess that will be allowed. But know this if you try to remove Lord Arryns son, all the men of the Vale that are here will hunt you down no matter where you go." Brynden knew that it was very serious for that to be said. Brynden nods his aquaessence. In a soft voice to make sure none over hear Brynden says to the guard

"Even were Lord Arryn to set Lysa aside, I would never try to take his child. I know what Lysa has done, I don't approve and were my brother to know he would be so ashamed at his child's behaviour. Do let lord Arryn know this." the guard relaxes as he hears this. Waving over another guard.

"Take the Blackfish to the young lord." Brynden nods his thanks to the guard and follows the new guard to his grand nephew.

Entering the room Brynden notices immediately that there is a nursemaid in there with young Robert. Young Robert is throwing a fit over something while the nursemaid is not doing anything to stop him. As he walked forward to stop the tantrum the young boy was throwing the nursemaid waves at him to stop him. Brynden gets a confused look on his face and walks over to her.

"What's the meaning of this? Why are you not stopping this behaviour?"

"Because if we stop this tantrum the next will be worse, milord. Once he gets it out of his system he will fall asleep and be better behaved once he wakes." Brynden frowns at her words. This behaviour reminds him alot of what he had heard Petyr Baelish was like as a small child before his time at Riverrun. While Brynden hadn't spent much time at Riverrun while Petyr was fostering he did spend enough time there to know what the man looked like while he was growing. The way young Robert was acting, his sickly-ness, and most of all his looks, all they did was remind Brynden of the whore merchant. At that moment Brynden knew Robert was not Jon Arryns son. Brynden knew this would not be good for his family. If it was known to any but the family it would be a great scandal.

Jon Arryn

His meeting with Tycho being over he is told that the Blackfish was in the Tower and looking at his supposed son has Jon wondering what was going on and what Brynden had overheard Lysa saying while she was at the Bloody Gate. making his way to the rooms that his son uses, Jon enters the room seeing Brynden trying to calm young Robert knowing his effort was for nothing.

"Ser Brynden leave him. Come join me in my solar." Brynden looks at him in shock, but follows him regardless. In his solar he gestures for Brynden to sit. "My guard said you had told him something interesting.

"Jon we have known each other far too long for me not to tell it straight. While at the Bloody Gate, Lysa said some interesting things. I made my way here with all haste to tell you that myself and Hoster definitely don't agree with what she has done. Not that I have told Hoster what she has done. Definitely not something to trust in a letter. Hoster would have her sent off to the silent sisters before he would allow her to stain our name even more." Jons eyebrow rose at this. This was not what he was expecting. Jon knew he wouldn't get an apology from the man in front of him but this was the closest he was going to get. Jon could also see that there was something he didn't want to say as Brynden was as close to beating around the bush as the man ever got.

"What did Lysa say?" Jon says as his face falls back into his serious mask. Bryndens face pales at this.

"She was rambling, raving really. By the time they had gotten to the gate the poppy had worn off enough to have her not notice what she was saying or who she was saying it to. She said things about how you should have died and that her poor Petyr should have listened to her. That whore merchant has a lot to answer for. If he wasn't already dead I would have asked for some time alone with the man, though he wouldn't be in the same condition when I left as I found him.'' The serious look on Jon's face never left. Jon now knows that Brynden was leaving something out. The man only ever went on like this if he is hiding something, as the Blackfish is known throughout the kingdoms as a gruff man of little words, unless it was a subject he was interested in and this was definitely not a subject he would be interested in, except perhaps in hiding it. None of them wanted this information spreading further than it had. After a private chat with the Grand Maester, where Pycelle said that he had only told Tywin Lannister. A few threats laters and Jon was given a promise that Pycelle would not tell anyone else.

"Tell me something. Did Lysa say anything about the parentage of Robert?" a hard look enters Jon's eyes as he says this.

"No nothing Jon. She did say that she loves, loved Petyr but nothing more." Jon could see the lie in the man's eyes.

"You knew Petyr as a child. Tell me does Robert look like him? I must know Brynden, as it is the house Arryn stands on a precipice. I need to look into the succession of my house. If Robert is not my son my house falls to the lesser branch of my family and the Hardyng boy is not lord paramount worthy, but everyone is calling him Harry the Heir." Brynden flinches at the look of anger in Jon's eyes.

"I'm sure he's your son Jon. While he's sickly, so are a few of the members of our family. Just look at Hoster, he's been sickly since he was a child. Hoster is still sickly now. Maester's don't know why it pops up in our family every other generation or so." Jon could see that Brynden is rambling again. This doesn't bode well. While Brynden was right about Hoster being sickly, Pycelle had told Jon that Robert did not have the same symptoms and the fact that Robert would have long stretches without sickness while Hoster always had one symptom or another of his ailment. Jon had asked the man years ago when it became obvious that Robert was oft getting ill.

"I'm sure you're right. How long are you planning to stay in the capital Brynden? " Jon says, making his face relax, knowing he would get nothing more out of Brynden.

"No long Jon. In fact mayhaps only the night. I only rode here to tell you that I'm appalled at what Lysa has done, as this is not something to be trusted to a raven. With your permission I would like to tell Hoster. I would make my way to Riverrun before returning to the Bloody Gate. It would be a short visit, as Nestor and I felt it was a good opportunity to test the Redfort and Bolton boys as acting Knights of the Gate" Jon rubs his chin thinking this over. He could tell that Brynden didn't think that Robert was his son, the only people the scandal would fall on if it became known was the Tully's and mayhaps Starks as he had heard the only child that looked like Ned was his bastard and youngest daughter.

"You may tell Hoster. Tell him that I find neither of you at fault. Your position as the Knight of the Bloody Gate is still yours if you still want it. Though if those boys have torn down the Gate before you get back it will be you hyde I tan." Jon says with a small smile on his face. Jon had received many reports on the boys activities while they had been fostering at the vale. They had less than four moons left at the Bloody Gate and Jon knew that Nestor was counting down the days until they left. Brynden let out a genuine chuckle at this.

"I told the boys as I was leaving that if they didn't listen to Nestor I would let Lord Bolton flay them a little." Jon chuckled along with Brynden upon hearing this. Jon knows the boys are good boys, but they are boys which means they make mischief.